Truck side frame



Sept. 3, 1935. P. R. DRENNING TRUCK SIDE FRAME 2 shefets-sheei 1 Filed May 7, 1951 Qgwmk) L Sept. 3, 1935. P. R. DRENNING TRUCK SIDE FRAME Filed May 7, 1951 -2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 3, 1935 UNITED STATES TRUCK smE FRAME Percy R. Drennng, Baltimore, Md., assigner to T. H. Symington & Son, Inc., Baltimore', Md., s corporation oi' Maryland Y Application May 7, i931, Serial No. 535,710-v 35 claims. (ci. 10s-zoe) This invention relates to truck side frames and has special reference to a side frame particularly though not necessarily intendedand adapted for use in a truck of that type in which 5 the usual spring plank is omitted.

An important object of the invention is to pro'- 4vide a side frame embodying compression and tension members connected by spaced parallel pedestals or column guides, the compression and l tension members merging into and being formed integrally with journal boxes, the entire frame being of the cast steel type.

Another object of the invention is to provide a side frame in which the neutral axes of the 15 compression and tension members intersect at points above the centers ofthe journal boxes, this being Vthe logical construction from an engineering viewpoint to insure great strength and rigidity with minimum weight.

Another important object is to provide a sid frame in which the pedestals or columnguides which denne the window opening for the reception of the bolster and the supporting springs therefor are provided with inclined or diagonal knees at their junctures withfthe compression and tension members, these knees taking the reaction strain of the load sustaining vbeam at the bottom oi the window opening vexerted against the tension members, and the knees at the junc- 3 0 tures of the column guides with the compression members ailording a brace against the vertical Iorces reacting thereupon.

A further important object is to vprovide a spring seat member to which the tension mm'- 35 bers connect in such manner as not to increase the tension on the underside of the beam bu-t to carry its tension into the upper partof the beam where compression alone exists, this feature being accomplished by continuing the horizontal portion of the tension member through the spring seat beam on the neutral axis thereof.

Another Yobjectof the invention is to provide a. side frame in which the compressionandn tension members are channel shaped in cross 45 section with the open sides disposed toward each other, thereby facilitating casting and reducing the number of cores or core parts necessary.

Still another object is to provide a' side frame in which the compression and tensionv members 50 have their greatest Width at the top and bottom,

55 such that adequate strength will be assured throughout particularly b`y virtue of gussets or diagonal tie members o rbraces in the side webs or flanges.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a side frame having novel bracketmeans 5 for supporting the brake hangers, this bracket means being of a nature to permit the use of a simple positive retaining means -for the pivots of the brake hangers, the pivot means being easily removable and replaceable when necessity arises.

Another specific object is to provide a sidey I frame in which the column guides or pedestals are provided at their inner and outer sides with projections which will increase the bearing area engaged by the bolster so that-the bolster will be properly squared in the truck'or, conversely, the side frames squared with respect to the bolsterV so Vthat unusual or excessive relative movement will beprevented notwithstanding the elimination of the usual spring plank.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a side frame in which the column guides are peculiarly and specically formed to accommodate special retaining means for the bolster-to prevent longitudinal displacement of the' latter, the column guides being moreover provided with transverse tie means which will positively operate to prevent distortion and to give the necessary strength.

'I'he invention also contemplates a detailed side frame construction as regards the peculiar cross sectional configuration of the various elements, tie means, web arrangement and-other mechanical details which will operate to give unusual strength while at the same time the weight may be decreased to the minimum safe point.

An additional object is to provide a side framev which will be as simple as the ordinary type Ito construct .or cast, which will be consequently comparatively simple to make and which will at the same time be highly efficient and a general improvement in the art.

To the attainment of the foregoing and other objects and advantages, the invention preferably consists in the details of construction and the arrangement and combination of parts to i be 5 hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: v 50 Figure 1 is a view half in side elevation and half in vertical longitudinalsection showing a side frame constructed in accordance with my invention,

Figure 2v is a partial sectional view taken on the 55 Figure 4 is a vertical cross sectional view through one of the journal boxes taken on' the line 4 4 of Figure l,

Figure 5 is a detail horizontal section take on the une 5 5 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a cross section through one of the tension members taken on the line 6--6 of Figure 1,

Figure 7 isa cross section through one of the compression members taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 1,

' Figure 8 is a detail section on the line 8-8 of Figure 1,

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on substantially the line 9-9 of Figure 2,

Figure 10 is a cross section l,through the brake hanger mounting taken on the line Ill-IU of Figure l,

Figure 1l is a fragmentary elevation thereof, view being indicated by the line I I-II of Figure 1,

Figure 12 is a fragmentary view partly Iinelevatlon and partly in section taken at the upper end of one of the column guides where it joins the compression member and giving a detail of the brake hanger pivot retaining means,

Figure 13 is a cross section on the .line I3-I3 Generally speaking, the frame comprises a topV beam I5 from which extend compression members I6, a bottom beam I1 constituting the spring seat, pedestalsl or column guides I8 joining the top and bottom beams I5 and I1, respectively, tension members I9 which lead from the bottom beam I'I, and journal boxes 20 located at/the outer ends of the compression and tension members I 6 and I9.

The compression member or top beam I5 is preferably of uniform width between the column guides and the compression members I6 which extend therefrom have their maximum width at the column guides and decrease gradually `in width toward their ends where'they merge into the journal boxes. Ii' preferred, the top beam I5 together with the compression members or portions I6 may be simply termed the compression member and, likewise, the bottom beam or spring support I1 together with the members I9 may be considered as a single tension member, it being immaterial whichv exact nomenclature is followed. The members I5 and I6 are of inverted channel shape in cross section as clearly shown in Figures 3 andv 7 and have their vertical flanges directed toward each other at their open lower portions as shown at 2l for the sake of stiffness, it being moreover preferable that the vertical flanges be connected by ties 22 which are located intermediate the column guides or .pedestals and the journal boxes.

members I5 and I 6 are channel shaped with open bottoms it could be stated that they are formed with elongated openings 23 and 2l separated by the ties 22. The compression members I6 also slope downwardly from the column guides to- Instead of saying that the boxes are provided at the top andbeneath the compression members I6 with upstanding webs or ribs 26 whichv extend transversely with respect to the side frame and which have upwardly lnclined portions merging into the vertical flanges at the junctures of the compression and tension in detail in-Figures 1, 2 and 3 is of general inverted channel shape inlcross section and includes a top wal1'21 formed with lateral exten-y sions 28 projecting beyond the outer and inner sides of the side frame and constituting a support for a nest of suitable bolster supporting springs. These extensions 28 are braced by triangular webs -29 which merge into the undersides thereof and into the sides 30 of the bottom beam I1. Located at the center of the member I1 is a vertically extending spool-like member 3I which serves as a load or force transmitting element and which greatly strengthens the structure. Interlorly' of the member I1 are triangular webs or gussets 32 which merge into the underside of the top 21 and into the sides 30 for stiiening purposes.

The compression members I9 extend from the junctures of the bottom beam I1 with the column guides or pedestals I8 and are of channel shape in cross section with the open sides up, the edges of the. open sides being preferably inwardly directed or formed with flanges 33 for stiflening purposes. The members I9 have their bottom walls merging into the inner edges of the journal box roofs as clearly indicated at the left end of Figure 1, and

the inturned iianges 33 merge into the inturned flanges 2l on the compression members I6, ,as clearly disclosed at this saine point. Beneath the outer endsof the tension members .I 9, where they join the journal boxes are gussets 3,4, and the outer sides are formed with triangular webs or gussets 35 which merge into the inner faces of the journal boxes. For additional stiffness, the vertical flanges or sides of the tension and compression members I6 and I9 are connected by downwardly diverging ties 36 which are disclosed asbeing at substantially the same points as the horizontal ties 22 which connect the vertical sides or flanges of the compression members I6.

Attention is directed to the fact that the compression members I6 taper or are reduced in width as they approach the journal boxes. To compensate for loss in area due to the reduction in width, each side wall of the compression member I6 as it approaches the journal box is increased in thickness beginning at the point I (5a and tapering inwardly to the point I6b. From the point Ilb to the point I6, which latter is directly over the center of the journal, the thickness is uniform, and from point I6 the thickness gradually diminishes to the point I6d atthe extremity of the compression member. This is clearly illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings. This is important for the reason that it is well known that the sheer lines of the compression and tension members -at the journal box have different directions due to the angularity of these members.- It is therefore logical that as the sheer of both mem-.

bers concentrates at this point, added section in the webs or side Walls must be provided.

It will be noted that the'tension members I9 do not spring from the bottom or lowermost corners of the bottom beam I1 but rise or emerge from .the same at points-spaced considerably above the bottom as clearly indicated in Figure 1, the bottom walls of these tension members being out away in a V, as shown at 31, with the material at the sides of the V merging into the inner faces of the sides or vertical flanges 30 of the bottom beam beneath the webs 32. shown as extending below the points at whichthe bottoms of the tension members I9 merge into the bottom beam I1, the extreme lower edges of the sides 30 continuing past the spool lstructure 3I and being spaced beyond the same with the lower edges formed with inwardly directed flanges 38. The metal at the inner corners of the bottom of the central portionof the bottom beam I1 is preferably thickened as shown at 38a, this thickened portion continuing along the juncture of the flanges 38 with the sides 30.

The column guides I8 are shown as of vchannel shape in cross section, the side flanges 39 extending away from thewindow opening 40 `and having their edges inturned or directed toward each other as shown at 4I. These side flanges merge into the sides of the compression andv tension members I6 and I8 as well as the top and bottom beams I5 and I1 and where the side flanges merge into the compression and tension members they are widened to dene knees 42 and 43, respective- 'ly, which will serve to brace the tensionand com-Y pression members I9 and I6. Furthermore 4 the side flanges are connected by a transversertle or web 44 which will prevent buckling, collapsing or other distortion. Moreover there is a tie 45 connecting the inturned edges 4I of the side flanges of. the column guides at the knees 42. The confronting faces of the column guides are formed with openings 4B and 41 which are spaced apart, thus leaving a solid portion or tiev48 connecting them. These openings are partly for the purpose of reducing the weight, and the upper opening 46 performs the additional function of accommodating a transverse retaining member, not shown, carried by the bolster for preventing it from having excessive longitudinal movement or movement transverselyV of the truck or side frames.

The bolster and the retaining means areillustrated in my copending application for patent for 'Iruck bolsters filed September 8, 1931 Serial No. 561,781. As a side frame constructed in accordance with the present invention is particularly designed and adapted for use in a truck in which the usual spring plank is omitted, it is highly desirable to provide an increased :bearing surface on the side frame where it is engaged by the bolster so that the bolster cannot have any'fexcessive angular movement with respect to the side frames but will'be maintained always in properly squared relation thereto. To accomplish this I form the column guides at their outer sides with extensions 49 and` at their inner'sides with other extensions 50, both being flush with the inner faces lof each of the column guides. The extension 5I) may have an opening 5I for the purpose of decreasing theweight and both extensions have marginal flanges 52 and 53, respectively, for stiiening purposes. Moreover the top and'bottom flanges 52 are inclined where they merge into the sides of the frame as shown at 54 and 55 in Figures 1 and 2, while the corresponding flanges 5 3 are widened and curved as at 56 jin Figure 2 where they merge into the inner sides of the frame. An important'feature of the invention is the .construction of the extensions 50 so that they will have integral means thereon constituting brackets for supporting the usual or any preferred brake hangers. In carrying out this feature I provide a The sides 30 are tubular bearing member 51 located beneath the top flange 53 of each extensionilland joined thereto by a web 58. I also form theside ange of the column guide toward the extension 5l with'a tubular boss 59 which is in allnexnent with the bearing 51 and which likewise constitutes a bearing for the reception of a pin'i which serves as the pivot for the brake hanger,l not shown. On the tie 45 are spaced saddle members 6I receiving the pin but separated to form a groove or notch 62 registering with a groove 63 cut in one side oi.'

the pin, the space 62 and groove 63 accommodating'securlng means for the pin, this securing 'means being somewhat in the nature of a cotter and being here disclosed as formed from a suitable .bearing 51 and boss 59. so that the pin 50 may be inserted vfrom the outside and passed through the hole 60, the boss 59 and the bearing 51, the pin being so positioned that the groove 63 therein will come opposite the space 62 between the saddle elements 6I. I'he pin or cotter 64 is then inserted within the mating grooves 62 and 63 and its end 66' turned down whereupon the pin 50 will be incapable of longitudinal or rotative movenient, thus relieving wear at all pointsexcept upen the pin itself and the brake hanger, either of which could b'e easily replaced when necessary.

Attention is invited to the feature that the neutral axes of the compression and tension members, shown by the dot and dash lin'es 61 and 63.`

the frame wi be capable of withstanding the strains to which it is subjected in service. Y

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be apparent that I `have thus provided a novel side` frame embodying various detailed characteristics as 'regards the location of the neutral axes, their points of intersection, and

the general arrangement whereby the frame will have unusual strength and rigidity coupled with minimum weight.A Ample provision has been made at au the` critical points to effect bracing.

The knees provided at the. junctures of the com'- pression and tension members with the vertical column guides are of great importance as they will transmit and distribute the vertical forcesof the load and thereby avoid any possibility of failure of the frame at these danger points; In fact Aevery contingency has been anticipated and pro- "videdfo'r accordingly so that the frame` should have maximum efliciency. 1

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, itV should be understood that the disclosure is merely an exemplication of the principles involved as the right is reserved to make all such changes in the details of construction as will widen the field of utility and increase the adaptability of the device provided such changes constitute no departure from the spirit of the invention or the scope' of the claims hereunto appended.

clining downwardly and outwardly from the ends' of the top beam, upwardly diverging tension members leadingfrom the ends of the bottom beam and merging into the outer ends ofthe compression members, vertical column guides joining the top and bottom beams at the junctures of the compression and tension members therewith, journal boxes at the ends of the compressionand tension members lwhere they merge, said compression and tension members being of channel shape in cross section with their open sides toward each other and having their sides provided with inwardly directed flanges constituting stliening means, and upwardly converging ties connecting-the compression and tension members and located closer to the journal boxes than to the column guides.

2. A truck side frame comprising top and bot- Atom beam members, 'compression members inclining downwardly and outwardly from the ends of the top beam, upwardly diverging tension members leading from the ends of the bottom beam and merging into the outer ends of the compression members, vertical column guides joining the top and bottom beams at the junctures of the compression and tension members therewith, journal boxes at the ends of the compression and tension members where they merge, said top beam and compression members being of inverted channel shape in cross section with their open sides down and having their sides provided with inwardly directed flanges constituting stiffening means, and said tension members being of channel shape in cross section with their open sides up and formed at their edges with inwardly directed ilangesmerging into the flanges on the edges of the sides ofthe compression members at points above the journal boxes. l

3. A truckside frame comprising top and bot-v tom beam members, compression members incliningdownwardly and outwardly from the ends of the top beam, upwardly diverging tension members leading from the -ends of the bottom beam and-merging int the outer ends of the compression members, vertical column guides joining the top and bottom beams at the junctures of the compression and tension members therewith, journal boxes at the endsof the compression and tension members where they merge, said top beam and compression 'members being of inverted channel shape in cross section with their open sides down and having their sides provided with inwardly directed anges constituting stiffening means, said tension members being of channel shape in cross section with their open4 sides up and formed at their edges with inwardly directed anges me'rginginto the iianges on the l edges of the sides of the compression members at points above the journal boxes, and upwardly converging ties joining the compression and tenmembers, vertical column guides joining the top and bottom beams at the junctures ofthe compression and tension members therewith and merging into the top wall of the top beam, and journal boxesat the ends of the compression and tension members where they merge, the column guides being channel shaped in cross section with their open sides disposed away from the vertical cent-er line of the side frame and provided atv their open edges with inwardly directed flanges connected by transverse ties, the confronting faces of the column guides being equidistant throughout from the top beam to the spring seat.

5. A truck side frame comprising top and bottom beam memberscompression members inclini ing downwardly and outwardly from the endsofv the topbeam, upwardlydiverging tension members leading from the ends of the bottom beam and merging into the outer ends of the compressionmembers, vertical column guides joining the top and bottom beams at the junctures ofl the compression and tension members therewith and having their confronting webs merging into the top wall of the top beam, and journal boxes at the ends of the compression and tension members where they merge, the column guides being channel shaped in cross section with their open sides disposed away from the vertical center line of the side frame 'and provided at their open edges with inwardly directed flanges, the column guides having their upper and lower ends sharply angularly extended toward the' journal boxes and dening knees for bracing tlie tension and compression members, said compression members being provided at the lower. edges of their inner sides with flanges extending across the knees and merging into said confronting webs of the column guides, said anges converging as they approach the column ides.

6. l A truck sideframe comprising top and bottom beam members, `ompression members inclining downwardly an outwardly from the ends ofthe top beam, upwardly diverging tension membersA leadingl from the ends of the bottom beam and merging into the outer ends of the compression members, vertical column guides joining the top and bottom beams at the junol tures of the compression and tension members therewith, journal boxes at the ends of the compression and tension members where they merge,

the column guides being channel shaped in cross section with their open sides disposed away from the vertical center line of the side frame and provided at their open edges with inwardly directed flanges, the column guides having their upper and lower ends extended toward the journal boxes and dening knees fo'r bracing the ten-- sion and compression members, and transverse ties located intermediate the top and bottom beam members and independent thereof connecting the sides of the column guides at points near .the centers thereof.

7. A truck side frame comprising top and bottom beam members, compression members inclining downwardly and outwardly from the ends of the top beam, upwardly diverging tension members leading from the ends of the bottom beam and merging into the outer ends of the compression' members, vertical column guides merge, the column guides being channel shaped in cross section with their open sides disposed away from the vertical center line of the side frame and provided at their open edges with inwardly directed flanges, the column guides having their upper and lower ends extended toward the journal boxes and defining knees bracing the tension and compression members, the column guides being formed with projections at their upper portions projecting beyond the outer and inner faces of the side frame.- l

8. A truck side frame comprising top yand bottom beam members, compression members inclining downwardly and outwardly from the ends I' of the top beam, upwardly diverging. tension allel inside faces joining the top and bottom` 'members fading out into the side walls of the bottom beam intermediate the top and bottom thereof.

9. A truck side frame comprising top and bottom beam members, compression members inclining downwardly and outwardly from the ends of .the top beam, upwardly diverging tension members leading from the ends rof the bottom .beam and merging into the outer ends of the compression members, vertical column guides joining the top and bottom beams at the junctures of the `compression and tension members therewith, and journal boxes at the ends of the compression and tension members where they merge, said bottom beam projectingbelow the points at which the-tension members merge there-- into, the inner ends of said tension members Amerging into the sides of said bottom beam near the center thereof. l

10. A truck side frame comprising top and bottom beam members, compression members inclining downwardly and outwardly from the ends oi' the top beam, upwardly diverging tension members leading from the ends of the bottom beam and merging into the outer ends of the compression members, vertical column guides joining the ltop and bottom beams at the junctures of the compression and tension members therewith, journal boxes at the ends of the compression and tension members where ,they merge, said bottom beam having a laterally widened top, sides and a central spool portion connecting the top and bottom, and said tension members beingv of channel shape in cross section with their lower ends notched and merging into the sides of the bottom beam above the lower edge thereof.

11. A truck side frame comprising top and bottom beam members, compression members inclining downwardly and outwardly from the ends of the top beam, upwardly diverging tension members leading from the ends of the bottom beam at the' neutral axis thereof and merging into the outer ends of the compression members, vertical column vguides having straight and parbeams at the junctures of the compression and v tension members therewith and continuedup'- wardly across and merging into the top wall of the former and journal boxes at the ends of the compression and tension members where they merge. l 12. A truck side frame comprising top and bottom beam members, compression members inclining downwardly and outwardly from the ends of the top beam, upwardly diverging tension anged outwardly at their Ijunction with the compression members and anged outwardly at their junction'with the tension members, journal boxes at the ends of the compression and tension members where they merge, said top beam and compression members being of inverted channel shape in cross section-with their open sides down and having their sides provided with inwardly directed flanges constituting stiiening means, andtransverse ties connecting the anges of said compression members at points intermediate the column guides and journal boxes.

13. A truck side frame, comprising top and bottom beam members, compression members inclining downwardly andnutwardly from the ends of the top beam, upwardly diverging tension members having their Webs leading from an interior point of the side walls of the bottom beam, said juncture being intermediate of the top and bottom flanges of this beam, the webrand upwardly'projecting flanges of this tension member channel'shape in cross section with their open sides disposed away from the vertical center line of the side frame and provided at their open edges with inwardly directed lflanges, column guides having their upper and lower'ends extending towards the journal boxesl and designing these for bracing said tension and c ompression members, the column guides being formed with projections at their upper portions projecting beyond vthe outer and the inner faces of the side trame.

14. A truck side frame, comprisingtop and bottom beam members, compression members inclin llng downwardly and outwardly from the ends of the top beam, upwardly diverging tension members with their bottom walls originating from the intermediate portions of the side walls of the bottom beam and merging into the outer ends of the compression members, vertical column guides joining Athe top and bottom beams at the junctures of the compression and tension members therewith and journal boxes at the ends of the tension and compression members where they merge.

15. A truck side frame, comprising top and bottom beam members, compression members inclining downwardly and outwardly from the ends of the top beam, upwardly diverging` tension members leading from the bottom beam and merging into the outer ends of the compression and bottom beams at the junctures of'the compression and tension members therewith, journal members, vertical column guides joining the top Y boxes at the ends of the tension and compression inner edge of each journal box, from which point line of said journal box, thence diminishing to the end of said compression member.

16. A truck side frame, comprising top and bottom beam members, compression members inclining downwardly and outwardly from the ends of the top beam, upwardly diverging tension,

members leading from the bottom beam and merging into the outer ends of the compression memberayertical column guides joining the top and bottom beams' at the junctures of the com pressionand tension members therewith, jourabove the inner edges of the journal boxes, thenV nal boxes at the ends of the tension and compression members where they merge, the compression members extending entirely across the top of the journal boxes and having their side walls increasing in thickness to points spaced the outer ends of the compression members, vertical column guides joining the top and bottom beams at the junctures of the compression and tension members therewith, journal boxes at the ends of the tension and compression members where they merge,the compression members decreasing in width as they approach the journal boxes and having their side walls increasing in thickness toward points spaced above the inner y sides ofthe journal boxes, continuing at the maximum thickness to points substantially above the centers of the journal boxesl and decreasing toward the ends,the thickening of the sidewalls compensating for the loss in area due to the reduction in width, the lower edges of the .compression members having inwardly extending anges fading out at the points of beginning of' the maximum thickness of the sidewalls.

18. In a truck side frame, top and bottom beam members, downwardly and outwardly diverging compression members extending fromthe ends of the top beam member, upwardly andoutward- 1y diverging tension members of channel formation having their open sides up, said tension members having their bottom portions merging into the ends of the bottom beam at the neutral -axs thereof, vertical column guides connecting the top and bottom beam members at the juncture of the-compression and tension .members therewith, said tension and compression members merging into each other at their outer ends, and journal boxes at the outer ends of the tension and compression members and located beneath the latter.

19. In a side frame, having top and bottom cords, the ends of saidcords connected at. journalboxes, spaced column guides defining a bolster opening, the tension cord providing a spring seat at the bottom of the opening and having a web at the neutral axis of the seat, the continuity of the web of the'tension cord being interrupted within a downward projection of the bolster opening.

20. In. a side frame, having ltop and bottom cords, joined at their ends to journal boxes, spaced column guides dening a 4bolster opening, the

'tension' cord being horizontal at the bottom side 2,012,949 this thickness continues uniform to the center of this bolster opening and also forming there a spring seat, the web of the tension-cord joining v this spring seat substantially on its neutral axis.

- 21. In a side frame', top and bottom cords connected at their ends by journal boxes and spaced y apart at their intermediate portions by spaced column guides deningva bolster' opening and a bottom beam beneath the same, the web of the tension cord originating at the neutral axis of the bottom beam.

22. In a side frame, top and bottom beams,

v4compression members continuing from the ends of the top beam, and tension members continu# ing from the ends or the bottom beam, the tension members being of channel shape in cross section and having their bottom webs originating at the neutral axis of the bottom beam.

23.' In a side frame, top and bottom beamscon-v nected by column guides, compression members continuing from the ends of the to'p beam, and tension members continuing from the ends of the bottom beam, the tension members being of channel shape in cross section and having their bottom w'ebs originating 'at substantially the neutral axis of the bottom beam, the tension members having their upperedges formed with inwardly directed anges converging toward and merging into the top of the'bottpm beam at the juncture of the column guides therewith.

24. In a side frame, top and bottom beams connected by column guides, compression members continuing from the ends of the top beam, and tension members continuing from the ends of the bottom beam, the tension members being of channel shape in cross section and having their bottom webs originating at substantially the neu.

' the neutral axis of the bottom beam, the webs oi' thetension members being formed beneath the column guides with openings dening diverging flanges merging into the sides of the bottom beam and fading out adjacent the center thereof.

26. In Aa side frame, top and bottom beams connected by column guides, compression members continuing from the ends of the top beam,`

and tension members continuing from the ends of the bottom beam, the tension members being of channel shape in cross section and having their bottom webs originating at substantially the neutral axis of the bottom beam, the webs of the tension members being formed beneath the column guides with openingsv dening diverging ilanges merging into the sides of the bottom beam, and triangular webs located-above said flanges andmerging into the sides and top of the bottom beam.

27. In a side frame, top and bottom beams connected-by column guides, compression members continuing from the ends of the top beam,

. and tension members continuing from the ends of the bottom beam, the tension members being of channel shape in cross section and having their bottom webs originatingl at substantially the neutral axis o f the bottom beam, the sides of the bottom beam being prolonged outwardly beyond the column guides and merging into the webs oflthe tension members.

28. In a side frame, 'top and bottom beams connected by column guides, compression members continuing from the ends of the top beam,

' and tension members continuing from the ends of the bottom beam, the tension members being of channel shape in cross section and having their bottom Webs originating at substantially the neutral axisof the bottom beam, the sides of the bottom beam being prolonged outwardly beyond the column guides and merging into the webs of the tension members, the bottom beam having 1ts lower edges provided at their inner faces with anges diverging outwardly and fading out at the underside of the webs of the tension members.

29. In a side frame, top and bo-ttom beams connected by column guides, compression members continuing from the ends of the top beam, and tension members continuing from the ends of the bottom beam, the tension members being cf channel shape in cross section andlhaving their bottom webs originating at substantially the neutralaxis of the bottom beam, the sides of the bottom beam being prolongedoutwardly beyond the column guides and merging into'the webs of the tension members, the bottom beam having a transverse portion at its bottom and having its lower edge formed with flanges-extending from said transverse portion and fading out at the junctures of said prolongations with the undersides of the tension members.

30. In a truck side frame, top and bottom beams, compression members continuing from the ends of the top beam and tension members extending from the ends of the bottom beam, said tension members being channel shaped in cross section and originating at substantially the neutral axis of the bottom beam, the bottom webs of the tension members being formed with openings beneath the column guides defining anges merging into the sides of the bottom beam adjacent the further having a transverse portion at the center of its bottom and having its inner faces formed with anges extending from said transverse portion and fading out at the points of mergence of said prolongations into the tension members;

31. In a side frame, top and bottom beams connected by column guides, compression members continuing from the ends of the top beam, and tension members continuing from the ends of the bottom beam and converging toward the compression members, the tension members haw'ng portions other than vertical originating at the neutral axis of the bottom beam.

32. In a side frame, topand bottom beams connected by column guides, compression members continuing from the ends of the top beam, and tension members continuing from the ends of the bottom beam and inclining toward the compression members, said tension members having webs originating at the neutral axis of the bottom beam. y

33. In a side frame, top and bottom beams connected by column guides, compression members continuing from the ends of the top beam, tension members continuing from the ends of the bottom beam and inclining toward the compression members, said tension members having webs originating at the' neutral axis of the bottom beam, and said bottom beam having its lower portion projecting outwardly beyond the points of origin of said webs and merging thereinto.

34. In a. side frame, top and bottom beams 1 connected by column guides, compression members continuing from the ends of the top beam, tension members continuing from the ends of the bottom beam and inclining toward the compression members, said tension members having webs originating at the neutral axis of the bottom beam, and said bottom beam having its lower edge horizontal and proje'cting outwardly beyond the column guides and merging into the tension members.

35. In a side frame, top and bottom beams connected by spaced colum'n guides, compression members continuing from the ends of the top. beam, and tension members continuing from the ends of the bottom beam, said tension members vhaving web portions originating at the neutral axis of the bottom beam beneath the column guides, the sides of the bottom beam projecting laterally beyond the points of origin of said webs and merging into the tension members.

.PERCY R. DRENNING. 

